Barbican: Special Mission for Three Architects After World War II (+Photos)

The combination of housing, green space, pedestrian paths and a cultural center in a single complex has made the Barbican a distinctive example in the history of contemporary London architecture.

Ambassador Arjan - In the years after the Second World War, three architects with an ambitious plan went to a part of London that was damaged during the war. In 1955, Peter Chamberlain, Geoffrey Powell and Christopher Boone were commissioned to design a collection titled "A City in the Heart of the City"; A project that connected residential life, public spaces, nature and cultural activities in a unprecedented scale. The result of this idea was the Barbican complex in London; One of the most important experiences of brutalist architecture in the world.

A high city with streets, gardens and concrete towers

The Barbican is not just a collection of residential buildings. High walkways, gardens and large water ponds have created a different atmosphere from the usual streets of London. Residents will be able to walk between buildings, pass by green spaces, and traverse parts of the complex without going down to street level.

The three tall Barbican towers are placed above this complex and form a part of its distinctive appearance along with the residential buildings. The Barbican Art Center, with concert halls, theaters and cultural spaces, has turned this complex into one of the most important centers of artistic activities in London.

Combination of raw concrete with nature and warm interior

In Barbican architecture, raw concrete and large geometric forms play the main role; Features that are considered to be the characteristics of brutalist architecture. However, the presence of trees, gardens and extensive water levels reduce the visual harshness of the structures. In the interior, large windows and the use of wood create a contrast with the rough appearance of concrete.

This collection was formed during a period when a group of architects and urban planners sought to redefine urban life after the war. Their main idea was to create an environment that brings together housing, public space and cultural facilities in an integrated plan.

A dream that is still controversial

Decades after its creation, the Barbican continues to debate the potential and limitations of Brutalist architecture. The large scale of the buildings and their concrete facades are attractive to some and heavy and cold to others. However, the combination of housing, green space, footpaths and cultural center in a single complex makes the Barbican a distinctive example in the history of contemporary London architecture.